Amazon makes Alexa+ AI assistant available to everyone in the U.S. nearly a year after launch

Amazon has officially opened up access to its Alexa+ AI assistant across the United States, nearly a year after its initial launch. The enhanced version of the digital assistant, which had been in an 'early access' phase since last March, required users to either join a waitlist or acquire newer devices to utilize its features. This upgraded Alexa+ is designed to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, elevating it beyond the original Alexa experience. The assistant can act on users' behalf, handling tasks such as scheduling repairs or hailing rides through Uber. Starting today, users will need to pay a subscription fee of $19.99 monthly to access Alexa+, although Prime members can still enjoy the service for free. Additionally, a trial version is available for anyone interested through the Alexa+ website and app, albeit with limited usage. The revamp of Alexa comes as a direct response to the growing popularity of AI chatbots, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude. Since its debut in 2014, the original Alexa captivated users with its voice-activated capabilities through Amazon's Echo smart speaker. With the roll-out of Alexa+, the company is emphasizing a more interactive experience, incorporating a dedicated website and app to engage users in a manner similar to how they interact with other AI chatbots.